The Celtics Are Playing Hot, But don’t Get Too Excited

The Boston Celtics are making a strong push towards the playoffs. It was made really clear on Tuesday that they are really hot. The Celtics defeated the Miami Heat on Tuesday night by a score of 115-107 in Miami. This victory marks the second time the Celtics have beaten the Heat in the last 10 games they have played this season. The first victory of the two came on the 1st of April when the Celtics beat the Heat 91-72. On Tuesday Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were the stars of the game scoring 27 and 24 points respectively. It was a huge win for an aging Celtics team, and should motivate them heading into the playoffs in a couple of weeks from now.

The Celtics’ Kevin Garnett drives to the hoop through the Heat’s Chris Bosh on Tuesdays game versus Miami.(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The Celtics are currently holding a season record of 33-24. They are on a three game winning streak having beaten the Pacers, 76ers and the Heat in those three games. The Celtics are currently slated to be placed in the 4th spot in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Many of the Celtics fans are getting excited and ready for the playoffs. To that I say settle down!

The Celtics will be going into the playoff facing some tough competition. If the playoffs started today the Celtics would be squaring off against the Atlanta Hawks. A series I totally believe they could win in probably 5 or 6 games. But when you look beyond the first round thats when it becomes doubtful. Yes, they have beaten the powerful and likely NBA Finals Contenders the Miami Heat twice in the last 10 games, but could they outlast them in a best of seven series. I think they would not be so successful. If not the Heat they could play the Magic or Chicago, two more teams they would have a really hard time against. The playoff picture the the Celtics looks bleak.

This is a team that was built to be contenders about 5 years ago. As we all know that plan worked and brought a NBA title back to Boston in 2008. Their frist NBA title since Larry Bird led the team in 1986. The team was built for the late 2000’s but not the 2010’s. The Celtics have Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, three incredible stars. Those stars have gotten older though and as a unit don’t have what it takes anymore to make it through a grueling NBA Playoffs all the way to an NBA Title anymore. They are just too old, and the competition is too tough. The bright spot the team has is Rajon Rondo, who is super talented and young but he can’t do it without reliable support.

The team needs to look next season to rebuild for the future before they are left with nothing. I will be watching the playoff intently to see what they can do, but I think I already know. They are talented and have done well during the season. I just don’t feel they will hold up during the tough competition this year in the Playoffs. We will no longer have to wait because the playoff will be here really soon and all of the questions will be answered once and for all.